Director, Center for Russia and Europe – DIREC002392-00001

DESCRIPTION/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Who We Are

Peace is our commitment. The United States Institute of Peace represents the American people’s shared values and commitment to peace worldwide. We know that Peace is Security – it advances both U.S. and international security by preventing, managing, and mitigating violent conflict.

We are an independent, non-partisan institution and are actively engaged with peacebuilding efforts worldwide. Together we tackle the most challenging problems and hold fast to the possibility of a more peaceful world. To learn more about USIP programs and job openings, go to https://www.usip.org/about/careers.

If you have a passion for making the world a better place and want to have a front-row seat on the world stage, USIP is the place for you.

JOB BRIEF

The Director for Russia & Europe (Director) is responsible for overseeing the strategic development and overall management of the existing Russia and Europe Program as well as building innovative programmatic interventions in the regions of Russia, Ukraine, and the European Security portfolio. The Director represents USIP in a wide range of public and private events, conducts media interviews and briefings for United States Government (USG) officials, executes research projects and policy-relevant reports, and participates as required in overall USIP management, budgeting, and strategic direction.

The Director will be based in USIP’s Headquarters in Washington, DC and will report to the Vice President of the Center for Russia and Europe. This role requires regular travel throughout the region as needed.

TARGET SALARY

Grade 15 – $163,000 – $ 169,000

The Institute uses the General Schedule salary tables for administering compensation. Offers are determined based upon candidate qualifications, related experience, internal equity, and the amount budgeted for the position.

CLOSING DATE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS 6/11/24

RESPONSIBILITIES

Major Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Planning, and Program Design, Development and Management:

* Lead and collaborates in the annual planning and regional strategy development processes, under the direction of the Vice-President. This includes developing the program’s strategic plan, goals, objectives, and operating plan in line with the Russia and Europe Program and USIP Strategic plans; identify strategic and innovative programming opportunities across the region; and designating appropriate resources required to support projects in the region.

* Oversee the design, development, and implementation of USIP’s programs in Russia and Europe in line with strategic and operational plans and oversee and coordinate all USIP activities in the regions.

* Build and sustain strategic partnerships and cultivate contacts with subject matter experts and a wide variety of external organizations in the U.S., and Russia and Europe. This effort includes strengthening relationships with U.S. Government counterparts and other like-minded institutions through regular reporting, information briefings, prompt responses to questions, and developing potential programming as well as strengthening regional partners to leverage resources and combine efforts to promote USIP program initiatives and goals.

* Collaborate with CRE colleagues, and with other USIP Centers or teams with active programs in Russia and Europe.

* Oversee the program’s budget and recommend strategic decisions regarding future funding allocations.

* Facilitate effective communication between field activities and Washington offices regarding program activities and ensure the highest level of communication and cooperation with relevant USIP departments/divisions/teams and external partners, including leading regular internal coordination meetings.

* Make several trips/year to the field to visit and support programs and meet with key stakeholders.

Representation and Communications:

* Provide technical assistance and substantive input to policy makers, government practitioners, non-government organizations, and regional and international organizations in the U.S. and abroad.

* Build and sustains networks of professionals in the public, private, and non-profit sectors who seek to plan, develop, and implement peacebuilding initiatives that will prevent and mitigate violent conflicts.

* Meet with foreign delegations to provide information on USIP and its work, expands institutional contacts and information-sharing, and explores potential collaboration.

* Organize and chair conferences, meetings, workshops, and study groups, including the following tasks: agenda design, participant selection usually including the appropriate legal, geographic, and policy experts.

* Supervise the outreach to partners, including invitation drafting, presenter selection, background material preparation, logistics, meeting moderation and facilitation, and summary report writing.

* Participate as appropriate in the planning and development of meetings organized by other Institute departments, recommending issues and participants.

* Write both scholarly and policy-oriented reports and articles for USIP publication.

* Commission and supervises research and writing, adapting and editing such work products for use in USIP programs or publications.

Resource, Grant, and Budget Management:

* Responsible for managing resources for the program, including identifying and pursuing program opportunities, planning, cultivating partnerships with US Government counterparts and drafting project concept notes, proposals, and next steps for project development in collaboration with the center’s resource manager.

* Works closely with the center resource manager and other USIP colleagues to ensure policies and procedures are followed, and that all aspects of resource management are performed, and financial reports are submitted in a timely manner.

* Manages all Russia & Europe projects, from conceptualization through implementation, making the appropriate mid-course corrections and keeping USIP leadership updated.

* Ensures budgetary discipline and timely implementation of projects and activities.

Personnel Management:

* Provide oversight to the HQ operations, and provides effective managerial, administrative, financial, and logistical guidance and support for the successful implementation of USIP’s portfolio in the region.

* Supervise directly or indirectly the work of Russia and Europe Program employees, contractors and consultants in HQ.

* Provide technical and administrative supervision to program staff and external consultants on the team; establish long-range work plans and ensure that appropriate goals and objectives are implemented; conduct performance evaluations for USIP staff members through positive leadership, inspire and motivate team members to achieve their best performance.

* Work closely with the Vice President and other USIP colleagues to ensure policies and procedures are followed, and that all aspects of resource management are performed at the highest standard.

Research, Learning and Informing Policy:

* Help develop and oversee the implementation of a research agenda, including anticipating issues of policy interest, and commissioning research that furthers understanding of Russia and Europe conflict dynamics and is relevant to policymakers.

* Contribute directly to USIP’s research/policy output by writing policy-relevant articles, briefing papers, analysis and commentary, op-eds, podcasts, and radio and television interviews.

* Ensure USIP’s Russia and Europe Program has strong monitoring, evaluation and learning components, and ensure that program learning is documented and used to inform the work of USIP and others.

* Conceive, form, organize and implement policy-oriented working groups.

* Ensure effective communication strategies and systems are in place so that USIP’s Russia and Europe publications, program learning, and expertise are disseminated in ways that have the most impact in informing policy.

Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

* Master’s degree or equivalent experience in peace studies or international relations/conflict management.

* Minimum of ten (10) years of experience, with a strong focus on Russia, Ukraine, and/or European Security in at least two of the following areas: regional political/economic analysis; international development, peacebuilding/conflict resolution, democracy and governance, international law, human rights.

* Strong knowledge and understanding of Russian and/or Ukrainian political, social and economic issues and dynamics, and knowledge of Russian activities abroad required.

* Strong knowledge and experience in arms control and nonproliferation concepts and treaties.

* Significant previous experience living and working in conflict zones outside of Russia where Russian activities prevail.

* Strong connections to Russia-related or Ukraine-related policymakers and civil society leaders.

* Excellent representation and communication skills (oral and written), including cross-cultural, media, interpersonal skills; proven ability to deal with counterparts from the lowest and highest political, social, cultural, and economic levels.

* Relevant grant management experience, including drafting and negotiating proposals and writing reports for USG agencies.

* Strong program management skills and experience overseeing complex projects; and previous experience implementing adaptive programs in highly complex and dynamic environments.

* Strong collaboration skills with the ability to coordinate the input and priorities of multiple players.

* Excellent leadership skills with proven ability to lead and motivate others, and to work as a team player.

* Ability to think strategically, and to effectively develop, communicate, and execute plans.

* Ability to write and speak Russian, Ukrainian or other relevant regional languages is highly desirable.

* Must be able to travel in both the United States and abroad.

All applicants must be US citizens to be considered for positions with USIP.

All USIP contract and employee positions are contingent upon the favorable completion of a suitability background investigation.

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered for this position, please submit a complete application package consisting of:

1. Completed employment application

2. Cover letter

3. Resume

Note: Only those applicants that are selected for further discussions will be contacted.

USIP is an equal opportunity employer. USIP does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, political affiliation, marital status, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit-based factors.